The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with some serious injuries at the outside linebacker position, with rookie fourth-rounder Jake Sawyer likely to make his first start in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions.
T.J. Watt (lung) and Nick Herbig (hamstring) missed practice for the second straight time Thursday and appear to be on track to miss Sunday’s game against Detroit. That leaves Sawyer and Alex Highsmith as the starting defensive backs, with DeMarvin Lyle as the backup OLB.
Watt missed last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins while recovering from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung. Herbig suffered a hamstring injury against Miami and was replaced by Sawyer in the win.
advertise
We’ll learn more about Watt and Herbig at Friday’s practice, but it appears Sawyer will be challenged to take on the Lions’ offensive line in his first career start on Sunday.
For the latest Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and like our Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers’ injuries to Watt, Herbig could lead to Sawyer’s first NFL start
